Bone Mets in Thumb?

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dogsandjogs
dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned


My friend who had a double mastectomy last year is having pain in her right thumb. Her doctor took an x-ray and said that along with arthritis there are some dense areas that he is concerned about. He is sending her for an MRI as he is worried about bone cancer.


Does anyone know if breast cancer can spread to the hand?

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  • flannelette
    flannelette Member Posts: 984
    edited November 2013


    I do not know if it can spread to the hand, but I'm sorry to say I suspect it can. The reason I say this is last year , after finding enlarged lymph nodes in my 4 yr-out annual mammo, my br surgeon started the hunt for why & where - an occult primary in other breast? they did every scan under the sun including (and they hadn't done this when I was first dx) a head to toe bone scan including laying my hands out to fingertips and both sides of my cranium. So I guess it can happen.......and I'm hoping this is not the case for your friend.

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  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited November 2013


    Thanks for the information! I had no idea--but I guess cancer really can go everywhere---


    I am hoping they didn't find any cancer in your scan!

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  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited November 2013


    When I had my first cancer in 1982 they gave me a bone scan and a liver scan. My surgeon told me those were the places breast cancer usually migrated to. He also said you don't get mets below the knee. But I think that is incorrect.

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  • lekker
    lekker Member Posts: 594
    edited November 2013


    It is relatively rare for breast mets to be found in bones below the elbow and the knee because it tends to go to bones with red marrow (in adults: pelvis, spine, ribs, sternum, skull, scapulae, and proximal - close to the body - ends of the femur and humerus) vs yellow or fatty marrow. The truth is, however, that it can go wherever it wants. The only way to know for sure if something is a breast metastasis, a new primary bone tumor (benign or malignant) or something else entirely is to get a biopsy. I hope it turns out to be something benign and easy to deal with for your friend.

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  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited November 2013


    Thank you Letter. She is going for an MRI as soon as the insurance approves.

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  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited November 2013


    Sorry, meant to say Lekker--

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